Florida State coach Mike Martin Jr. had initially hoped for his new fulltime staff to come together quickly.

His sense of urgency was fueled by college baseball’s recruiting timeline that features established summer tournaments that are ongoing.

In fact, Martin Jr. headed on the road last Tuesday morning – less than 24 hours after being named the Seminoles’ new coach.

His itinerary includes stops in Fort Myers, where he was for four days; Auburndale this weekend; and Atlanta and potentially Hoover, Alabama, next week. He could be away from Tallahassee for two weeks.

While Martin Jr. has settled on one staff hire – professional scout Mike Metcalf, according to sources. (Martin Jr. is prohibited from commenting until a candidate is cleared by the school.)

Martin Jr., however, told the Democrat Friday he was “pumping the brakes” on hiring a new pitching coach.

“I have just seen coaches make mistakes just for the stake of having coaches out on the road,” Martin Jr. said during his drive from Fort Myers to Auburndale.

“This position is really important.”

Martin Jr. explained he wants a pitching coach that can take care of and develop arms, call pitches, recruit and help fundraise.

“It’s a complex position,” Martin Jr. said. “I want to take it slow to make sure we get it right.”

Former Seminole player and three-year volunteer assistant Clyde Keller served as FSU's pitching coach this season. He was promoted last fall to replace Mike Bell, who was named the new head coach at Pittsburgh.

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Florida State University Mike Salvatore (16) talks with Undergraduate Assistant Coach Tyler Holt (1) at first base during a game between FSU and Mercer University at Dick Howser Stadium Sunday, March 3, 2019. (Photo: Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat)

Since Martin Jr. does not have two fulltime assistants, he’s had to adjust.

Volunteer assistant coach Tyler Holt has passed the NCAA recruiting test and, according to NCAA rules, can recruit for the Seminoles. He is in Atlanta for the WWBA Tournament. Martin will join him next week.

While Martin is scouting youth and high school-aged players for his 2021, 2022 and 2023 classes, he still must fill his 2020 class.

“We are way behind,” Martin Jr. said.

Martin Jr. announced a number of changes at his introductory press conference last Monday, from moving the team back to the third base dugout and taking player names off the jerseys.

He is thinking of others.

One is piping crowd noise or music into the stadium during selected practices.

“I want to put them in pressure situations so when the time comes, they won’t be distracted,” Martin Jr. said. “We are going to have a lot of young pups next season. I also think it’s good for everybody.”

Martin Jr. laughed and admitted they attempted the strategy a few years ago.

“Eleven hated it,” he said of his father, Mike Martin, who has retired after 40 seasons as the Seminoles’ coach.

Martin Jr. also said he wanted to improve the food choices for players on game days. He cited that fundraising will help improve that area and others.